Potentiometric circuit



June 14, 1949. l, A. GR'EEHNwooD, JR 2,473,334

rornn'uoln'rnrc cIncUI'r v Filed Aug. 27, 1948 i Qmwdi LT 3* A inventor /Vd/V A. 'fA/Wdi Clttomeg Patented June 14, 1949 2,473,334 POTENTIOMETRIC CIRCUIT Ivan A. Greenwood, Jr.,

Prec

signor to General Pleasantville, N. Y., asision Laboratory Incorpox-ated, a corporation of New York v Application August 27, 1948, Serial No. 46,415

(Cl. S18-28) 9 Claims.

This invention relates to a potentiometric circuit particularly adapted for use in recording and controlling circuits wherein a variable electrical quantity which is to be utilized for measuring or control purposes is compared with a second electrical quantity made to be variable in accordance with the actuation of the measuring or control device to produce an error signal.

In such devices the error signal, that is, the disagreement between electrical quantities, after suitable amplification constitutes the desired motive power for actuation of the measuring or control device. Inasmuch as the second electrical quantity is varied by the motive power which acts to operate the measuring or control device, the relationships may be made such that when the measuring or control device is operated to such an extent as to be substantially representative of the first electrical quantity, the second electrical quantity is substantially equal and opposite to the first. Under such circumstances the error signal" is substantially zero or a null" and motive power is not available for operating the control or measuring means so that it is stopped at exactly the required point.

The second or comparing electrical quantity is ordinarily derived from a potentiometer or slide wire connected across a voltage source, the variation thereof being achieved by moving the variable contact thereof in accordance with the operation of the control or measuring device. If the voltage,y source across the potentiometer or slide wire yis maintained absolutely constant then the proportional amount of the voltage derived therefrom to oppose the voltage Vrepresentative of the controlling or measuring electrical quantity is always in direct proportion thereto and the measuring or control device is actuated in exact relation to the first electrical quantity. It is ordinarily not feasible, however, to obtain such constancy of potential from known sources of supply which permit of the current drain necessarily resulting by the connection thereto of a potentiometer of conceivable range commensurate with the desired accuracy. ,Regulated supply sources of the type using a gaseous reference or voltage regulator tube, vary in their output voltage in the order of 1% and since this variation introduces a commensurate variation in the comparison voltage the` accuracy of the control or measuring means is subject to an error of liker amount. f

Heretofore, it has been the general practice to periodically correct for any variation in voltage of the supply source by comparing the supply voltage such as the cadmium/cadmium sulphate cell known as the standard Weston cell as described by Vosburgh in volume 47, May, 1925, of the Journal of the American Chemical Society at pages 1255 to 1267. The standard cell is momentarily connected in circuit and a potentiometer device adjusted to correct for any departures of the voltage source from the desired constant value. Such arrangements, however, require additional equipment and .have the disadvantage that the recording or control function is interrupted during the time that the circuit is being readjusted. Likewise since the comparison and readjustment occurs only at intervals any variation in supply voltage that may occur between periods of readjustment is reflected in a proportional inaccuracy in recording or control.

In the present invention these difficulties are obviated by the provision of circuit arrangements whereby a standard cell may be continuously connected in circuit to provide a standard of comparison and the effect of any error or departure of the voltage of the supply source as respects the standard is continuously and constantly balanced out so that the measuring or control means at no time is aiected thereby.

At the same time despite the' fact that the standard cell is continuously connected in circuit at all times that the voltage regulating source is in operation, the circuit arrangements are so devised that the steady current drain onthe standard cell is of such low magnitude as not materially to aiect its accuracy as a standard of voltage comparison. Very little current may.

be drawn from a standard cell without causing a reduction in potential produced thereby and when such a reduction in potential occurs a considerable period of inactivity is required before the standard cell may recover suiiiciently to again produce its standardized potential.

It has been found, however, that if the steady drain on the standard cell is maintained in the order cf l microampere'or less the standard cell will change in potential by less than .1%

with the voltage of a standard cell In the present invention therefore the standard cell is connected in such fashion as to oppose the regulated supply voltage and resistances of such values are connected in series therewith that any diiference in voltage produced by variation of potential of the regulated supply will not result in a current drain in excess of 1 microampere. At the same time any difference in potential which may exist between the standardized voltage of the standard cell land the voltage of the supply is opposed in a directly proportional amount to the proportional variation in the feedback voltage which results from the departure of the supply voltage from its standard. Thus the error which would otherwise result because of the variation of the supply voltage is eii'ectively canceled.

The exact nature of the invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the attached drawing in which the single iigure is a schematic representation of a circuit embodying the invention.

- Referring now to the figure, the electrical quantity which is to be measured, recorded or act as the controlling means is illustrated as being derived by a thermocouple II. The instant invention,.however, is not to be construed as limited to the use of such a device as it is equally applicable to the use of other sources of electrical effect, either of high or low impedance, as for example. photccells, pH cells, devices for translating mechanical movements into electrical eifects and the like. The particular application to which the invention is put being the control-v ling factor.

One terminal of the thermocouple II is connected to a variable contact I2 of a potentiometer I3, while the other i-s connected to one contact I4l of a vibrator or interrupter I6. The potentiometer I3 is connected in series with resistors I'I and I3 and the entire series network is connected -to a vsource of regulated voltage supply through conductors I9 and 2l. Y,

The source of regulated voltage supply is here diagrammatically illustrated as comprising a transformer 22, the primaryvof which is energized y from the lusual 4- through a switchV 23 alternating ,Y current mains and the secondary of which venergizes a full wave rectier 24. The output of the rectiiier is connected through conductors 26 c and 21 to the input of a iilter network indicatedthe output of the filter network there isconnected a voltage regulator tube 29 in series with the actuating coil 3| of a relay 32, the purpose of which will be described later. supplied to the dividing network consisting of series connected resistors 33 and 34 is regulated within a range of say :1% of the desired value. The desired portion of the voltage existingA across the output of the regulated supply source, which. is to be impressed on the series network consisting of resistors I1 and I8 and potentiometer or slide wire I 3, is obtained by connecting the c onductor I9 to the common juncture ci resistors 33 and 34; the relative values thereofl being selected to produce'the proper voltage drop between conductors I9 and 2|.

Ignoring for the moment the circuit consisting of the standard cell 36, resistors 31 and 39 and potentiometer 38 and assuming for the purposes of preliminary discussion that the contact 42 of the vibrator IG is connected directly to the grounded conductor 2I rather than the movable Thus the voltage 4 contact 4I it will be apparent that the input to the ampl'iner 43 consists of an alternating current wave the amplitude of which comprises the dierence in the voltage generated by the source II and the voltage drop existing across the resistor I9 and that portion of the potentiometer I3 included between .e point of contact of the movable contact I2 and the lower end thereof. This alternating current wave produced by the alternate and vibrating contact of the amature 44 with the contacts I4 and 42 is of one sense or the opposite senr: depending on whether the voltage generated by the source II is greater or less than the voltage drop across the aforementioned portion of the potentiometer I3 and resistor I8.

This alternating current is amplified by the alternating current servo amplifier 43, which may be of any suitable type, and the output thereof constitutes the means for energizing a motor 4l, which is caused to rotate in one direction or the other depending on the sense of the input signal and hence that of the output.

The motor 46 through a shaft 41 operates the movable contact I2 in a direction such that the voltage drop across the lower portion of the potentiometer I3 and resistorvll tends to balance and offset that generated by the source I I. At the same time the motor 43 operates a utilization device here illustrated, by way of example only, as a recording pen 490i a chart recorder 49. The invention is not limited to this type of utilization device, as whether the device shown or a controlling circuit for varying uid pressures, fuel supply or any of other numerous controlling,

. measuring and recording devices or combinations 1 thereof are used will depend on the particular application to which the invention is put.

Suppose, for example, Vthe voltage generated by the source I I increases, then since this voltage is greater than that produced by the potential drop across the loweriportionof the potentiometer I3 and resistor I3 there will beimpressed on the input of the amplier 43 a potential varying between a positive value representative of this difference and ground potential, the contact 42 still being assumed as connected directly to conductor 2I, in a square wave fashion by action of the interrupter IB. This alternating input termed the error signal after ampliilcation by the amplifier 43 energizes the motor 46 causing it to revolve in such a direction as to move the contact I2 upwardly on the potentiometer I3 thereby increasing the voltage drop which is been moved to such an opposed tothe voltage ofthe source II, the utilization device 49 also being operated in the proper direction at the same time. The motor 46 will continue to rotate until the contact I2 has extent that the voltage drop existing between the contact I2 and the conductor ZI just balances the new voltage conditions ofv the source II. When such a balance occur-s no difference of potential exists at the contact I4 and contacts I4 and 22 are at the same potential sothat there is zero error signal or a null and hence no input to the amplifier 43 and vno energiz'ation for the motor 46. The motor 46 therefore ceases to rotate after having moved the contact -I2 to the new balanced conditions and the utilization device 49 to a new operative position.

It will be seen that if the potentiometer I3 is made linear and the is at all times constant, then the contact I2 and utilization device 49 will 5 at all times be positioned accurately in accordance with the then voltage of the source I I.

If, however, the voltage impressed across conductors I9 and 2| should vary, the potential drop across the lower portion of potentiometer I3 and resistor I8 will also vary by a proportionate amount, thereby producing an error signal" even though the voltage of the source I I has not changed. This will result in a corresponding inaccurate positioning of 'the utilization device 48 and inasmuch as regulated supply sources have some variation in the potential supply produced thereby, this inaccuracy of operation will result in the absence of corrective circuit arrangements.

In order that a continuous correction for any variations in supply voltage may be introduced,-

the present invention contemplates the use of the series circuit consisting of a standard cell 36, for example, the cadmium/cadmium sulphate type known as the standard Weston cell as discussed by `Vosburgh in the article in the Journal of the American Chemical Society supra; a, resistor 31 potentiometer 38 and resistor 38 connected betweenthe conductors I9 and 2i. The movable Acontact 4I of the potentiometer 38 is connected to the motor shai t 41 so that it is moved in unison with the movable contact I2 and while the potentiometer 38 is of high impedance while potentiometer I3 may be of low impedance the resistors i3 and 39 and l1 and 31 have such values that the same proportional relation exists between resistors I8 and 39 and between resistors I1 and 81 as exists between the potentiometer I3 and the potentiometer 38. The standard cell is connected with its E. M. F. opposing the F. of the regulated supply source and the values of the voltage dividing circuit consisting of resistorsv 33 and 34 are made such that the average voltage supplied between conductors I9 and 2| and hence opposing the standardized voltage of the standard cell is nominally the same as the voltage thereof.

Assuming now that the relay 32 has been actuated so that the armature I bridges contacts 52 and 53, the only voltage drop which exists across the resistors 31, 39 and potentiometer 38 will be that resulting from the departure of the supply source potential from the voltage of the standard cell. Because a fairly uncomplicated supply circuit using a voltage regulator gas cell such as 29 can be constructed to regulate the voltage produced thereby within a range of 1% and since the voltage of a standard cell is of the order f 1.018 volts, the maximum potential existing across the network comprising resistors 31, 39 and potentiometer. 38 will be approximately .01 volt. If then the sum of the resistances of these elements is made greater than 10,000 ohms the current drain on the standard cell may be kept at 1 microampere or less. When the current drain is kept at this low value its standardization accuracy does not Vary by more than 0.1% even,

though the drain be continuous for long periods of time and the resistances which must be employed to so limit the drain are well within limits in which potentiometers such as 38 may be constructed. The accuracy of the potentiometer 38 need not be excessive since the only errors introduced thereby are second order errors.

For purposes of explanation let it be assumed that the voltage Es is the standardized voltage of the standard cell and the voltage which should be impressed between conductors I9 and 2| if accurate operation without the use of the instrumentalities of the invention is to bev had. Let it be further assumed, however, that the voltage of the supply source has that the voltage supplied therebyv to the conductors I9 and ZI departs from the voltage Es by an amount AE. The voltage available between the contact I2 of the potentiometer I3 and the conductor- 2| which is opposed to the potential developed by the source II may then be expressed by the expression:

where X is the portion 0I the resistance Re of the potentiometer I3 included between the contact I2 and the lower end of the potentiometer, R1 is the resistance of resistor I1, R2 the resistance of the potentiometer I3, and R3 is the resistance of the resistor I8. The rst term of the expression is the term which constitutes the accurate balance voltage desired while the second term constitutes the undesired error and may be positive or negative depending on whether the voltage of the regulated supply is above or below that of the standard cell.

If the contact 42 were connected to the grounded conductor 2| as has heretofore been assumed for the purposes of preliminary discussion, then the peak to peak amplitude of the alternating current wave impressed on the input of the amplifier 43 and which constitutes the error signal would be given by the expression:

XRLRL XlaJfR3 EES lemma) MGi-RFM.) (3

where E is the voltage generated by the source II and the other terms are as given in Expression 2. It will be noted that the error term is incorporated in this expression, and the negative sign has been used under the assumption that the voltage of the regulated supply exceeds that of the standard cell which assumption will be continued hereinafter for simplicity of expression.

The contact 42, however, in this invention is connected to the movable contact 4I of the potentiometer 38 which together with resistors 31 and 39 are connected in circuit with the standard cell 36 opposing the voltage of the regulated supply source. The potential drop across the series combination of resistors 31, 39 and potentiometer 38, therefore,'will be the difference in the voltage of the standard cell and that of the regulated supply source or AE. Likewise the portion thereof which is impressed between the terminal 4I and grounded conductor 2i is given by the expression:

where R5 is the resistance of the potentiometer varied to such an extent The movable contacts I2 by the motor shaft I1 so that each is displaced by the same amount and X is always equal to X1. Likewise, since, as heretofore stated Rz is proportional to Rs, R1 proportional to R4 and Rs proportional to Re, the fraction RVi-Ra R1 Rgri- R3 is equal to Rig-R R4 'i Reri- Re and these fractions may be replaced by the identical constant K and Expression 5 simplified to:

and 4| are each actuated- E-EsXK-AEXK-i-AEXK (6) The error voltage then becomes:

E-E'sXK (7) and the supply voltage error term drops out so that regardless of variations in power supply voltage accurate measurements or control functions always take place.v

A condenser 56 is connected between the movable contact ll and the grounded conductor 2l to present a relatively low impedance to alternating current, this condenser should not be so large, however, to drain an excessive amount of power from the standard cell 36 as the armature. 4| vibrates between the contacts I4 and 42.

Inasmuch as the drain of any considerable current from the standard cell will cause it to depart from its standardized voltage requiring considerable time for recovery it is deemed advisable, although not absolutely essential, to provide protective means so that the standard cell is not connected in circuit until the voltage regulating tube 29 is operating properly and, therefore, the voltage of the standard cell is not opposed to voltages, supplied from the regulated supply source of too large a variation which might result in a drain from the standard cell of a current in excess of the amount found safe for its continuous operation.

To this end a quick release relay 32 has its actuating coil connected in series with the voltage regulator cell and its armature 5| does not bridge the contacts 52 and 53 to connect thestandard cell in circuit until the proper operating current is flowing through the voltage regulator tube 29.

What is claimed is:

1. A device of the class described comprising, means yfor producing a variable voltage, means for producing a voltage subject to departures from a. standard, a first device for selecting a variable portion of said voltage subject to departure from standard. means for opposing said variable voltage and the selected portion of said voltage subject to departure from standard to produce a first difference voltage, a standard voltage source of constant potential, circuit means for continuously opposing Ksaid standard voltage to said voltage subject to departure from standard to obtain a second diierence voltage function oi.' said departure from standard, a second device for selecting a variable portion of said second difference voltage, means for producing an alter- Dating-current signal whose amplitude is a function of the difference of the variably selected portions of said first and second difference voltages and motor means operative in accordance with the sense and amplitude of said alternating current signal for concomitantly and proportionally adjusting said first and second devices.

2. A device of the class described comprising,

means for producing a variable voltage, means for producing a voltage subject to departures from a standard, a first device for selecting a variable portion of said voltage subject to departure from standard, means for opposing said variable voltage and the selected portion of said voltage subject to departure from standard to produce a first difference voltage, a standard voltage source of constant potential, circuit means for continuously opposing said standard voltage to said voltage subject to departure from standard to obtain a second difference Voltage function of the amount of departure from said standard, a second device for selecting a variable portion of said second difference voltage, an amplifier, an input circuit therefor on which said flrst and second difference voltages are impressed in opposed relation, and motor means operative by said amplifier output for actuating a utilization mechanism and connected to concomitantly and proportionally adjust said iirst and second devices.

3. A device of the class described comprising a regulated voltage supply source subject to slight errors of regulation, a, circuit including a rst potentiometer means connected in shunt thereto having its movable member connected to one terminal of a source of variable potential, a source of standardized potential, circuit means including a second potentiometer connecting said standardized potential source in opposed relation to said regulated voltage supply whereby the voltage drop produced across said second potentiometer is proportional to the departure of said regulated supply source from the standardized potential, an amplifier, an input circuit therefor, circuit means connecting the remaining terminal of said source of variable potential a-nd the moving member of said second potentiometer to said input, motor means operated in accordance with said amplifier output, said motor means being connected to a utilization device and to the movable member of said first and second potentiometers for conjoint proportional actuation thereof.

4. In a potentiometric system wherein a varying voltage representative of a variable condition is opposed to an adjustable voltage to produce an "error signal constituting the motive power for actuating a utilization circuit and simultaneously readjusting the adjustable voltage to restore balance to the system and wherein the adjustable voltage is subject to fluctuations in power supply voltage, means for nullifying the effect of said fluctuations on the accuracy of operation comprising a standard nonvarying voltage supply source continuously connected in opposition to said power supply through a potentiometric network of suiliciently high impedance to prevent undue current drain on said standard source, said potentiometric network developing a voltage thereacross proportional to the amount of variation of said power supply potential from said standard potential, circuit connections for deriving a portion of the voltage developed across said network and for opposing said derived portion to said "error signal and motive means for varying the derived portion in direct relation to the readjustment of said adjustable voltage.

5. A potentiometric system in accordance with claim 4 in which said circuit connections include an amplifier having a modulator means connected in its input circuit and to said potentiometric circuit to alternately and successively impress said error signal and the derived portion of the supply and in series with a iirst potentiometric network whose resistance is suiilciently high to prevent undue current drain from said standard cell when said power supply is in its operative regulatory condition, a second potentiometric network connected in shunt to said power supply, a device for producing a varying voltage representative of a variable condition, circuit means connecting said device to the movable contact of said second potentiometric network whereby the voltage produced by said device is opposed to a portion of the voltage drop produced across said second potentiometric network to produce a difference voltage, an amplifier, an input circuit therefor connected-to said device for producing a variable voltage representative of a variable condition and to the movable contact of said second potentiometric network to produce a second diiference voltage equal to the diierence between said nrst diilerence voltage and a portion oi' the voltage drop produced across said first potentiometric network, and motor means operated by said ampliner for coniointly actuating the movable contacts of said first and second potentiometric networks.

'1. A potentiometric circuit in accordance with claim 6 in which said power supply circuit includes a voltage regulator tube and means in series therewith actuated by the operating current flow through said regulator tube for connecting said standard cell and said iirst potentiometric netwcrkinshunttosaidpowersupplycircuit.

8. A potentiometric circuit comprising, a regulated power supply circuit subject to slight variations in the voltage produced thereby, a circuit connected in shunt to the output of said power supply at all times that said power supply is in its operative regulatory condition comprising, a standard cell connected in voltage opposition to said power supply and inv series with a rst potentiometric network whose resistance is suiiiciently high to prevent undue current drain from said standard cell when said power supply is in its operative regulatory condition, a second potentiometric network connected in shunt to said power supply, a device for producing a varying voltage representative of a variable condition having one terminal thereof connected to the movable contact of said second potentiometric network and the other terminal thereof connected to a first stationary contact of an interrupter, a connection from the movable contact of said tlrst potentiometric network to a second stationary contact of said interrupter, an amplifier, an input circuit therefor comprising a connection to an armature of said interrupterwhich alternately engages said first and second stationary contacts and a connection to a common terminal of said first and second potentiometric networks, and a motor operated by the output of said amplifier and mechanically connected to the movable contacts of said first and second potentiometric networks ior conjoint and equal mechanical actuation thereof.

9. A potentiometric circuit in accordance with claim 8 in which said power supply circuit includes a voltage regulator tube and means in series therewith actuated by the operating current ilow through said regulator tube for connecting said standard cell and said first potentiometric network in shunt to said power supply circuit.

IVAN A. GREENWOOD. Ja.

No references ema. 

